
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx
@CraigBaird • 66,599 subscribers
Host of the podcast\radio show Canadian History Ehx. Author of "Canada's Main Street: The Epic Story of The Trans-Canada Highway" Sharing Canada's history daily
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Today in 1971, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein debuted on CHCH-TV. It aired for one nine-month season, with 130 episodes (and years in reruns). Let's learn about this very unique children's show that is still beloved to this day! The idea came about with Riff Markowitz having an idea for the show and inviting a group of friends to a dinner party to brainstorm at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto. The idea for The Hilarious House of Frightenstein was approved by the station, who hoped to reach the Toronto market with it. Vincent Price was brought on to do introductions to the various segments as he wanted to do a children's show. He filmed all 400 of his segments in four days for $13,000. In Canada it aired after-school or on weekend mornings, with it aimed to children. The United States aired it in a late-night slot and aimed it towards college students. In some American markets, it outdrew The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in the college demographic. Each episode was structured around a narrative of Count Frightenstein attempting to revive Brucie J. Monster, with various unrelated bits from the castle filling out the show. Count Frightenstein was played by Billy Van, while Igor was played by Fishka Rais. Billy Van played nearly every character on the show including The Count, Grizelda The Ghastly Gourmet, The Wolfman and many more. Other characters included The Grammar Slammar, The Professor, Grizelda, Bwana Clyde Batty. There were also three puppets named Harvey Wallbanger, Gronk and Bammer. Julius Sumner Miller played The Professor and filmed all his segments within the summer. Mike Myers has listed the show as one that played an informative influence on his comedy. If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support Canadian History Ehx with a donation at
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx585,922 просмотров • 3 лет назад

Every Monday, I like to share a bit of nostalgia to help everyone's day get off to a good start. This week, it is The Log Driver's Waltz, one of the most famous pieces of animation in Canadian history courtesy of the NFB, Wade Hemsworth and Kate and Anna McGarrigle!
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx315,593 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Alex Trebek rapping the intro to the 1990 NHL Awards. You're welcome.
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx342,475 просмотров • 3 лет назад

When Coca-Cola suddenly closed a plant in Newfoundland in January 1992, the province's residents started a boycott. That boycott continues to this day, as people choose to support the local and family-owned Pepsi bottling plant. *should have said Rum and Pepsi*
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx43,099 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Alberta have served Canada for over a century. Many gave their lives for their country. They fought for Canada. Let's fight against separation. Vote for Alberta to remain a province of Canada on Oct. 19, 2026.
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx30,942 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад

Twitter/X can be a real cesspool of negativity sometimes. I like ensuring that my account is a fun place where we can enjoy Canadian history and Canadiana. No divisions here, all are welcome :) To that end, here is a dose of nostalgia for all you wonderful people.
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx136,162 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Located in southern Saskatchewan near Kindersley, The Great Wall of Saskatchewan was built by one man over the course of 29 years. It stretches for 1.6 kilometres, and is one of the more unique things to see on a drive through the province.
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx29,950 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

For decades, both Denmark and Canada claimed Hans Island in the High Arctic. During what became known as The Whisky War, each side planted their flag and left alcohol for the other nation. On June 14, 2022, the 49-year-old Whisky War finally came to an end.
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx21,051 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад

Day 17 of Stories Across Canada: Leaving A Gift At The Grave Of The Friendly Giant Before I left on my journey across Canada, I bought a tiny rooster figurine. Today, I was able to place that figurine on the headstone of The Friendly Giant near Grafton, Ontario
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx14,677 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад

It is considered to be one of the best pieces of animation ever produced. It won numerous awards, earned an Academy Award nomination and even inspired a scene in The Simpsons. Even today, it is fondly remembered by many Canadians. This is the story of The Big Snit! 🧵1/10
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx98,389 просмотров • 2 лет назад

From 1963 to 1966, The Mighty Hercules first aired on television. It then aired for decades in reruns. As with many animated productions of the time, the voice cast was almost completely Canadian. Hercules was voiced by Jimmy Tapp. Tapp did the voice for 114 episodes after he replaced David Hartmann who only did eight episodes. Tapp was a radio broadcaster in Montreal, and hosted several CBC programs including The Tapp Room and Flashback. He also hosted CTV's A Kin to Win. A member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, he died in 2004. Gerry Bascombe, who was born in Toronto, voiced Newton for 112 episodes. He also voiced Daedalus. He replaced Newton voice actor Jack Mercer who voiced the character for 13 episodes. Bascombe died in 2019. Canadian Helene Nickerson voiced all the female voices including Helena and Wilhemine. She also starred on Time for Sunday School, which aired on CBC from 1962 to 1966. If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx110,205 просмотров • 2 лет назад

On this day in 1983, Fraggle Rock debuted. Created by Jim Henson, it was co-produced by CBC and filmed at their Toronto studios. The cast, puppeteers, writers and crew were pretty much all Canadian too! Let's learn more about this wonderful show :) 🧵1/18
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx72,575 просмотров • 1 год назад

On March 26, 2000, the song Blame Canada from South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. But that night something also debuted that became an immediate hit. The I Am Canadian Rant. Let's learn more! 🇨🇦✊👇 I Am Canadian was a slogan for Molson Canadian that debuted in 1994. The focus of the campaign was on Canadian nationalism. There were many great commercials related to the I Am Canadian campaign but nothing reached the level of "The Rant". In the ad, a man named Joe stands in front of a cinema screen that shows images related to Canadian culture. He then speaks about what is and what is not Canadian, including ranting against stereotypes of Canadians by Americans. A good example is the line "I say 'about' not 'aboot'" The man in the ad was Nova Scotian actor Jeff Douglas. The ad was written by Canadian Glen Hunt, although it was directed by American Kevin Donovan. The public relations agency behind the ad was Thornley Fallis. After testing the ad with movie audiences in Ottawa, it went national during the Academy Awards in 2000. The ad was an immediate hit. Not only did it bring in local, national and international awards such as the Gold Quill Award, and the International Public Relations Award, but it made Jeff Douglas famous across the country. At one point Douglas, who was referred to as "Joe Canada", went coast-to-coast in 26 hours visiting provinces to recite the rant. There were many parodies of the ad including I Am Not Canadian, I Am An Albertan, I Am A British Columbian and I Am A Newfoundlander. William Shatner performed a version at Just For Laughs, ranting against Trekkies and his typecasting as Capt. Kirk. At the 2022 Juno Awards, actor Simu Liu opened the ceremony with an updating version of the rant that spoke on rising housing prices, marijuana legalization and multicultural food. As for Jeff Douglas, he has appeared on Ancestors in the Attic and hosted Jetman Live for National Geographic. From 2011 - 2019, he was the co-host of CBC Radio One's As It Happens. Since 2019, he has hosted Mainstreet on CBHA-FM in Halifax. He has received three Gemini nominations for his acting. If you enjoy my Canadian history work, you can support my work with a donation at
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx84,470 просмотров • 2 лет назад

Among the pantheon of great animation from the National Film Board, the Cat Came Back is one of the most acclaimed and beloved. The film continued the decades-long tradition of animation excellence by the NFB. Let's learn more about this wonderful short film! 🧵1/9
Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx74,772 просмотров • 2 лет назад